Kyle Roller needed a triple to complete the first cycle in the history of the Staten Island Yankees, but the designated hitter didn’t put much stock in the rare milestone during his ninth-inning plate appearance Sunday night at Coney Island.

"I’m not the fastest guy in the world," the 6-foot-1, 250-pound Roller said with a smile.

Roller drew a walk, but it was his two-run shot over the left-field fence in the seventh inning that propelled the Baby Bombers to an 8-7 victory before 8,248 fans at MCU Park.

Roller had an RBI single as the visitors took a quick 5-0 first-inning lead against unbeaten southpaw Chris Hilliard. He hit a double to right in the third, and was hit by a pitch in the fifth.

Five at-bats, no outs.

"It’s always in the back of your mind," admitted Roller of the rare cycle opportunity, "but I’m just focusing on getting on base and helping the team score runs."

Actually, the recent eighth-round draft pick from East Carolina can run a little for a big guy. He has two triples and two stolen bases, and lifted his batting average to .287 with three home runs after a 3-for-3 night with three RBI and three runs.

Shane Brown’s two-run double and Luis Parache’s two-run single triggered the first-inning rally against Hilliard, who brought a 5-0 record into the start. Jose Mojica’s sacrifice fly made it 6-1 in the third, but the Yankees had to hold on for dear life after Brooklyn’s J.B. Brown’s two-run triple in the fourth was followed by Brian Harrison’s three-run homer in the seventh, cutting an 8-4 deficit to 8-7.

Harrison also hit a solo blast in the second inning.

Manager Josh Paul called on closer Chase Whitley for a two-inning save, and the 6-foot-4 Troy University product was up to the task. He allowed a pair of infield singles but struck out three in recording his eighth save.

"We have a ton of confidence in him (Whitley)," said Roller of his teammate. "When he steps out there, we like our chances. He has good control and has the ability to throw three pitches anytime in the count." ¶

It was Whitley’s second save against the Cyclones in two nights as the Baby Bombers ran their record against their McNamara Division rivals to 6-3 despite Brooklyn’s four-game lead in the standings.

The Cyclones out-hit the Yankees 14-9, but the visitors handled slugger Cory Vaughn, the 14-team league’s leader with nine home runs, 35 RBI and a .599 slugging percentage.

Vaughn left eight runners stranded on base, bouncing a harmless grounder to shortstop to end a bases-loaded rally in the sixth inning.

"I think it’s becoming a nice little rivalry," said Roller, who hails from Rockingham, N.C. "Most of us are new to pro ball and are feeling our way around the league, but we’re definitely getting to experience how deep the rivalry is between the Yankees and Mets.

"Every game is a hard-fought battle."

NOTES: Bryant Cotton (1-0) worked two scoreless innings for his first pro victory ... Brooklyn centerfielder Darrell Ceciliani of Madras, Ore., raised his average to a league-leading .390 with a 3-for-3 night. He also walked twice and stole his 14th base ... There was a 1-hour, 22-minute rain delay to the start of the game ... The four-game series concludes Monday night at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark.